President Barrack Obama will continue to push Cuba towards democracy despite the country's political oppression and economic misery. He will have a meeting with the dissidents and will speak in front of the Cuban people.
The purpose of Obama's visit to Cuba is to direct and empower Cubans to bring out the change that was suppressed by decades of isolation. Obama's speech at the Grand Theater of Havana is his chance to show that the results of the Cold War between the two countries are all over as per Salon.
Obama is bound to meet Cuban President Raul Castro in an attempt to discuss the cases of dissents in the country which the Americans believe is against their values. The American President said that the United States will continue to speak on behalf of democracy which includes the Cuban people rights to choose their future. He added that he will also discuss human rights, freedom of speech and assembly as well as religion.
According to Vox, the new strategy of the US is to work with Cuba instead of going against it. It will attempt to better the life of the people in the country through negotiations and commercial ties rather than trying to oppose the communist government through isolation and economic oppression.
During a live state-run telecast, Castro faced forceful questioning from several American journalist regarding the slow transformation of Cuba's political prisoners. Many were shocked due to the rareness of the moment where a president of a communist country was asked regarding current and sensitive issues. As reported by Havana times, human rights activist Elizardo Sanchez said there is a deliberate climate of political repression on the island in relation to the visit of President Obama.
According to 47-year-old Havana engineer Marlene Pino, this is pure history. She added that it has been nearly a century since a sitting president visited their country. The last was Calvin Coolidge who arrived via battleship.
Cuba has been known for detaining political enemies for many years but the practice has been diminishing dramatically. It is still unclear though if the political prisoners will attend the meeting with the American President which gained scrutiny and speculation before Obama's trip.
